SOLD OUT GALLERY EDITION CANVAS SETS!!!

You heard right, it's official. The Gallery Edition Sets of "They Came With The Farm", "They Came With The Farm Too" and "They Came With The Farm Free" are sold out! Our last set was actually sold at Barrett Jackson in Arizona in January. As far as I know, that's it ... no dealers have any left either.

Shown on display in Toronto, Canada. (Fall 2012)

Wow, that was fast.  Thank you and congratulations to all our clients that were able to add these to their collections. They are a truly magnificent set and I, for one, am sad to see them go. Now we'll just have to wait and see what Michael comes up with next!  — Linda :)

Cool Car "Accessories" Made in the USA

Okay, so I'm on a bit of a "roll" ... with the accessorizing for the car girl. But, in my defense, I just couldn't help but spot these guys at Barrett Jackson Arizona (check out the cool Airstream and you'll know why - so much chrome!) this January. That's what happens when you get to go to these big automotive shows and collector auctions!! And we just happened to be set up again this year. Going to Arizona in January, being surrounded by hundreds of classic cars, talking to old friends and making new ones ... ya, that's rough :) Anyway ....

At Indy, but same Airstream - hard to miss.

These guys don't just sell girl stuff, they sell accessories for kids and men too. Apparently the Harveys' got their start in 1997, after making a handbag out of scrap seatbelt material when installing seatbelts in their 1950 Buick. That's awesome. I love hearing stories (especially success ones) that have interesting beginnings. Not dreamed up, analyzed, scrutinized, projected, etc, in some stark boardroom, but ones that come from the heart. From the creative minds of regular folks like us. Sometimes, you just have to give it a shot ... and go big or go home! So, congrats to the Harveys' for doing just that and pulling it off so well.

Today, the Harveys' designs are functional, fun and elegant. The collection has something for just about everyone! It includes wallets, purses, totes, over the shoulder sling bags, iPad cases, men's wallets and more.  

Their site is easy to navigate, with tons of great images. There are hundreds of products on their site to choose from. Just thought you might want to check it out. I know what's on my Christmas list. — Linda

Here's a link to the on-line store: Harveys Seatbelt Bags

One For The Ladies – PeggyStella Totes

Their brochure reads, "Need a bag as durable as your classic car?" Oh ya!

PeggyStella display at a Mopar event.

An Amercian company, PeggyStella Totes offers a vast variety of handbags, messenger bags, wristlets, wallets, dog collars, belts and laptop bags. Each piece is handmade, and they are impressive. I first discovered PeggyStella at the MCACN (Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) in Chicago this fall. I couldn't resist and bought a couple of pieces for my daughter and myself!! I went with the classic car interior look (black and white hounds tooth), but the selection was vast enough to meet pretty much any taste.

How cool is this ... PeggyStella Charger bag??

They've got the car theme down pat, using authentic automotive interior replacement material. There's no doubt, that no matter what classic or muscle cars you have in the garage, they'll have a bag to match!!

But that's not all, they offer exotic skins as well as Coach, Gucci and other designer looks. If you can dream it, they can make it ... just for you, custom to order! They'll even take that piece of interior vinyl or leather that you just can't part with, and create what you can use with it!

I think their website is still in the works, but you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook and contact them to find out where their next showing is at!

'Fast' handbags for the lady that likes speed!!

• TWITTER: PeggyStella
• FACEBOOK: PeggyStellaTotes
• WEBSITE: http://peggystellatotes.com/ or peggystella.com
• EMAIL: PeggyStellaTotes@gmail.com 
• CALL: (317) 750-4277

Have fun accessorizing!! — Linda :)

MCACN Show & The Ultimate Mopar Farm Find

The Ultimate Mopar Trilogy (l-r): They Came With The Farm,
They Came With The Farm Too, They Came With The Farm Free.
Gallery Edition Canvases limited to only 50 s

In November we were setup, showing Michael's latest creative sensation ... "They Came With The Farm Free", in Chicago at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. I say 'creative sensation', because that's what the Mopar Farm set is turning out to be!! They look so amazing together that people were coming from across the convention center floor to check them out ... 9 feet of dream find Mopars can really draw a crowd!!

I think one of the main reasons for the set's success, aside from being  esthetically pleasing to the eye, is the incredible creative level that Michael has managed to achieve. Nothing like this (to my knowledge) has been attempted or created before. Creating one incredible scene from three independently painted works. Not only does each painting stand on it's own, but each works with it's partner (playing to the left or the right) and then as a whole, working together, they are simply spectacular!

They Came With The Farm

"They Came With The Farm" (released late 2006, Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque sold out early 2008) was a stand alone piece. Part of the Muscle Car Landscapes Series, it was not connected to any of the other paintings and was, at that time, the only Mopar piece in the series. Next, based on the popularity of the first one, and from comments like, "There just aren't enough Mopars in this painting!", Michael decided to do a second painting. At first, conceptually, it too was a stand alone piece.

They Came With The Farm Too

Always looking to challenge himself, Michael thought he'd try for something completely different — a continuation painting — starting "They Came With The Farm Too" (2010) where the first one finished off. This made the new painting that much more challenging —not only did it have to look good when on it's own, it now had to work with the first one. And of course, scale, size, proportion, color palette, all had to match. Layout too, became  more critical, because "Farm Too" had to work with "Farm", without being overpowering.

They Came With The Farm Free

This year, Michael decided to complete the scene, by releasing the third and final painting, "They Came With The Farm Free". This was the most complicated of the three. Not only did this painting have to work visually on it's own, it also had to  flow with "Farm Too" and balance with both "Farm" and "Farm Too" combined. The challenges: scale, size, perspective, color pallette, car choices and colors, layout, and interest, were now multiplied as Michael worked to achieve the 'ultimate car find' (for Mopar, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler lovers that is!!). And, as Michael is not keen on the idea of just repeating himself, he wanted a different look and feel to the painting, while still fulfilling all the necessary restrictions that doing a continuation piece created. Very challenging. Very time consuming. And somewhat stressful. The result — wow! The consensus — success on all fronts!! They are truly incredible together!!

Close to Being Sold Out

Complete matching number sets are sold out in the Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque. At the time this was posted, we still had a couple of complete matching number Gallery Edition Canvas sets available. For those interested in the Limited Edition Prints or Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque, I am recommending matching numbers of the two available, "They Came With The Farm Too" and "They Came With The Farm Free". These opportunities are very limited, but there are still a few available.

Thank you to all that made this series of prints such a wonderful success. I, for one, cannot wait to see what Michael comes up with next!! All the best in the year ahead. — Linda

Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. In North America we share many, many holidays, Thanksgiving being one of them. But for some reason, we celebrate ours a month earlier. Myself, I like celebrating both!! I mean why not, right? ... Turkey, gravy, stuffing and finally, pumpkin pie!! We have a small family gathering, just us and the kids and my parents. It's one of the few times we all collectively partake in dessert.

That's where it gets challenging ... both my parents are diabetic. My dad was diagnosed over 30 years ago and has managed the disease primarily through diet. To say he has a sweet tooth would be an understatement and his "treats" are few and far between. So, to me it's  important that I come up with sugar free alternatives in the dessert department.  I've taken a recipe traditionally made with lots of sugar and changed it to suit our dietary needs, without compromising on the texture or flavor.

Irvine’s Traditional Pumpkin Pie
Prep Time: 35 minutes, Cooking Time: 45 to 50 minutes
Yield: 2 pies

4 eggs
1 can (28 oz) pure pumpkin
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar
1 1/4 cup Splenda granular
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup (approx 1 can) fat free evaporated milk
2 (9-inch) unbaked home-made or frozen deep dish pie shell

Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add pure pumpkin, Splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice and salt - mix on low until well combined. Blend in milk. Pour filling in pie shells. I'd recommend having some tart shells on hand, we had enough filling left over to fill 12 tart shells. These are a big hit with our kids — they really like the "mini-pies!"

Bake at 425ºF for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF and continue baking 30-35 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Serve topped with whipped cream made with Splenda instead of sugar.

 As an added bonus, if you're watching your weight (like me) this pie will meet the low fat, low sugar test. If your diet is super strict, pass on the whipped cream topping.

Happy Thanksgiving, whenever you celebrate it.— Linda

The Power of Imagery and Art

Being an artist's wife, I have to admit, that along with being Michael Irvine's greatest supporter and toughest critic, I sometimes kind of take his unbelievable talent and skill for granted. After all, in our home, he's also the guy that takes out the garbage and the recycling!

It's when I get to talk to people in person, on the phone, or read their comments on our Facebook page, that I am once again reminded of what his work means to them.

"Wow." • "Incredible." • "Amazing." • "Breathtaking." 

"Surreal." • "Oh my God." • " Niiiiice!" 

It's what I like to call the "wow factor". It's that initial reaction that people have to the powerful images and stories that Michael is able to portray in his paintings. They are amazed by his creativity, the reflections, the details and the fact that he hand draws and paints each and every one. They ask how he does it. Where he gets his ideas from? How does he get such brilliant, vibrant, intense colors using watercolor? How many hours does each painting take? And then finally, they just let themselves be immersed in the art. Let me tell you, it's pretty cool to witness and, in a small way, be a part of.

I found this quote, by visual artist Louie Schwartzberg, that I want to share with you. He uses time lapse photography to give us a unique look into the real world. And Michael, through his creative imagination and breathtaking images, gives us a peek into a world we'll never see in real life.

"Oh my God. ... The 'O' means it caught your attention, makes you present, makes you mindful. The 'my' means it connects to something deep inside your soul. It's a gateway for your inner voice to rise up and be heard. And 'God'? God is that personal journey we all want to be on, to be inspired, to feel like we are connected to a universe that celebrates life." — Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF

According to Louie, approximately 80% of the information we receive comes through our eyes.  Isn't it necessary then, for our well being, to have something beautiful to look at each and every day? Images, like those in Michael's car art, can create feelings of joy, bring back the memories and glory of days past, spark our imagination, launch dreams of a possible future, and bring us an overall feeling of well being. Through art in our home or work space, we are able to experience all that creative imagery has to offer on a day to day basis.

So, no matter what life and the world throw at you, don't forget to smell the flowers, take the time to enjoy your surroundings, and share a smile. Enjoy the day.  — Linda

A Love Story

Non car people just don't get it. They think a car is just transportation ... that it's a means to an end from point 'A' to point 'B'. When they look at a car (or truck, for that matter), they see 4 wheels, some metal, fiberglass, lights, a windshield and some other stuff that makes it go. But for many, though, it's much, much more than that.

We are often asked, kind of warily, if Michael is in fact a car guy at all. Or just one of those artists that has set their sights on a subject they feel will be profitable to them. With 4 classic cars, mountains of car magazines, shelves of books and boxes full of parts (many duplicates and triplicates, just in case), I can assure you, he's a car guy, nut, enthusiast (whatever word fits) through and through. And, he's definitely not alone.

In searching through the Netflix selections for car chase movies the other day (see what I mean about his passion?), Michael came across a documentary that, as car enthusiasts, you're sure to appreciate. "Love The Beast" is about one man's love of his car, what it's meant to him and his friends, and their journey together. 

Eric Bana and his Ford GT Falcon Coupe
— "THE BEAST"

"What if you were a Hollywood movie star with an obsession for cars and racing? You would probably read every script with even the tiniest link to the subject matter, in the hope that you could tell a great car story of the likes of "Grand Prix", "Le Mans" or "Mad Max"."  — www.imdb.com

You'll follow Eric Bana and his Ford GT Falcon Coupe — "THE BEAST", through his early childhood, acquisition of his first car (which is incidentally, the Falcon Coupe), restoration, rebuild, racing and more. Through Eric's eyes, we get a glimpse at his own 25 year long love story — reflecting on a lifetime of ownership and of friendship. Jay Leno, Jeremy Clarkson and Dr. Phil pitch in to help give us insight into the car obsessed psyche. You'll be glad to hear, they all agree it's quite healthy (yes, even Dr. Phil says so!).

A young Eric Bana.

Actor/Race Car Driver Eric Bana with Jay Leno.

From "Love the Beast", Eric Bana with Dr. Phil.

English motorsport broadcaster, Jeremy Clarkson.

When you have a spare couple of hours, check it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed. — Linda